Species guide · Los Sueños, Costa Rica
Black Marlin
marlín negro · Istiompax indica
- 64Logged by our fleet since 2022
- 250–600 lbTypical size
- 800+ lbTrophy fish
- Release onlyOur rule
At a glance
- WhereOffshore
- Typical size250–600 lb
- Trophy size800+ lb
- Tackle80–130 lb class
- DifficultyPhysically demanding
- Keep or releaseRelease onlyCosta Rica requires billfish to be released.
- Fleet recordAbout 900 lb, May 2026 (reported, released)
How we fish for them
- Trolling lures and teasers
- Live baitBonito or small tuna
From our catch logs
When they bite
Fish per boat per day, by month. Darker means a better month. Hover a cell for the full count.
Black Marlin per day on the water
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | – |
| 2023 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | – | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0▼0.1 | 0.1▲0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2026 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1* | 2* | 1* | 0* | 0* | 0.0▼0.1 | 0.0▼0.1 | – | – |
ColdHotBlack Marlin per day on the water. ▲▼ more or fewer per day than the same month a year earlier. * Monthly total only, no day count.
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